The World Bank officially handed over a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory vehicle to the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

The handover, conducted at the EPA headquarters in Wilberforce, is part of the Institutional Strengthening Support component of the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), funded by the World Bank.

The mobile laboratory vehicle is expected to significantly enhance the EPA’s ability to conduct on-site environmental testing and monitoring, enabling quicker responses to environmental risks nationwide.

In his keynote address, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Jiwoh E. Abdulia, lauded the World Bank for its continued support. He underscored the critical need for accurate environmental data to inform policies and decision-making, emphasizing that the mobile lab represents a significant step forward in addressing the country’s environmental challenges.

“The effective use of this technology depends on having the right personnel to manage it,” said Abdulia. “This mobile laboratory will provide the EPA with essential data to drive informed policymaking and improve environmental governance.”

The Minister urged the EPA to maximize the potential of the mobile lab under its leadership and outlined expectations for the agency to build a robust data system to strengthen policy formulation. He expressed confidence that the initiative would bolster Sierra Leone’s environmental resilience and sustainable development.

The World Bank’s support through the mobile laboratory highlights its commitment to empowering Sierra Leone’s institutions to tackle environmental challenges. EPA-SL Director-General, Dr. Bondama Kamara, acknowledged the pivotal role the laboratory will play in equipping the agency to fulfill its mandate effectively.